Effect of magnetic field on optical emission from cold atmospheric pressure micro-plasma jet

Application of magnetic field can affect the charge particle dynamics, plasma constituents, and optical emissions from a cold atmospheric pressure micro-plasma jet. The present study focuses on the effect of an externally applied transverse magnetic field (B) on optical emissions from the plasma jet and the resulting particle behavior inside the plasma. Detailed experiments are performed to look at H alpha , H beta, He, and other emission lines from which the electron density (n(e)) and electron excitation temperature (T-exc) are determined as a function of B. Reactive O-2 and N-2 species (RONS) that are important for biomedical applications are identified and the effect of B on them is investigated. The discharge is modeled using fluid theory, which predicts the temporal evolution of plasma parameters both during nascent and time to saturation (t(s)) values. It is observed that t(s) of n(e) reduces as B is increased. Besides the Lorentz force, strong B invokes the Zeeman effect and also contributes to the broadening of emission lines, thereby altering n(e) and T-exc. The observed phenomena can be explained from the cross field transport and the dependence of Larmor radius and cyclotron frequency upon B. It is found that finite Larmor radius effect and the satisfaction of collisionally broadened ion cyclotron resonance condition can alter the emission intensities of RONS. Furthermore, the incidence of charged RONS on a specified surface area could be controlled by B.

Automated summary

The use of magnetic field impacts the dynamics of charged particles, plasma constituents, and optical emissions in a cold atmospheric pressure micro-plasma jet. Experiments show that externally applied transverse magnetic field affects optical emissions and particle behavior inside the plasma. The presence of reactive species important for biomedical applications is identified, and their behavior under the influence of magnetic field is investigated.